Cecconi's

10th October 2011

On a Monday, i headed into the city to complete number 44 off my list by going to Cecconi's. Entering a basement restaurant in flinders lane, i was greeted with a cozy Italian dining room with low dim lighting and finery. Split into 2 sections, the bar and casual dining area on the left and fine dining area on the right. The  service was polished, polite and efficientt with plenty of Italian phrases and accents from the waiting staff.

For starters i went with one of the specials that were carefully and elaborately explained at the start. The dish of beautifully caramelised scallops, extremely crispy pork belly with a pea puree and mint oil was great. Pea puree was subtle but noticeable combining well with the pork and scallop flavours.

The main course was a homely warming meal that was plated up in a unique and interesting way that i am not sure was the greatest way to present the dish but was definitely something different. Concentric circles of fluffy smooth mash topped with 4 pieces of beautifully moist and tasty chicken combined with a large flat mushroom and a nice jus. Homely, comforting and delicious food that also showed a quality of cooking.

Desert consisted of a walnut fancier with white chocolate custard, port poached figs and raisin ice cream. The fancier was dense, moist and a great walnut taste. Combined with the white chocolate custard that was thick and combined well with both the fancier and the sweet figs. The raisin ice cream was also great and had little chunks of raisins inside.

Quality, home style Italian cooking with great technique and solid flavours. Nothing amazingly new or innovative but that is not this restaurants still and it provides exactly what it set out to. On the more expensive side of 1 Hat restaurants but still reasonable value.